Roll-out module for a papermaking press section

ABSTRACT

A press section of a paper making machine including a roll-out module including certain press rolls and certain felt rolls with their loading equipment and savealls mounted for axial movement of the rolls and module from a position within the felt on the machine to a position in the aisle in front of the machine with the press rolls being mounted on short swing arms carrying beams and with pneumatic springs spaced along the beams for controlling the nip pressure.

United States Patent [191 Nelson et al.

1 1 Aug. 19, 1975 i 1 ROLL-OUT MODULE FOR A PAPERMAKING PRESS SECTION [75] Inventors: John P. Nelson, Beloit. Wis; Robert E. Page, Davis, 111.; Paul S. I-Iendrickson, Beloit. Wis.

[73] Assignee'. Beloit Corporation, Beloit, Wis.

[22] Filed: Feb. 28, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 446,591

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Scr. No. 250,961, May 8,

1972, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. 162/274; 100/100; 100/171;

162/360 [51] Int. Cl D2lf 3/00; D21f 3/06 [58] Field of Search 162/358, 359. 360, 199,

[.56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2.209.756 7/1940 Berry 100/171 2.404.946 7/1946 Clem 100/168 3.352.747 11/1967 Lithgo et a1. 162/274 3,367,262 2/1968 Stevens et a1 100/168 3.600.273 8/1971 McCarrick et a1 162/358 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS l ()67 679 10/1959 Germany 162/358 Primary IiruminerS. Leon Bashore Assistun! IS.\'aminerRichard V. Fisher Attorney, Agent, or Firml-1i11, Gross, Simpson, Van Santen, Steadman. Chiara & Simpson [57] ABSTRACT A press section of a paper making machine including a roll-out module including certain press rolls and certain felt rolls with their loading equipment and savealls mounted for axial movement of the rolls and module from a position within the felt on the machine to a position in the aisle in front of the machine with the press rolls being mounted on short swing arms carrying beams and with pneumatic springs spaced along the beams for controlling the nip pressure.

6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEU AUG 1 91975 SET 1 [1F 2 PATENTEDAUE 1 SW5 1 SHEET 2 BF 2 ROLL-OUT MODULE FOR A PAPERMIAKING PRESS SECTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present application is a continuation-in-part of our copending application Ser. No. 250,961 filed May 8, I972, now abandoned. The invention relates to an improved press section for a paper making machine wherein an entire unit of the press section is movable into the aisle for restringing of the felt and for servicing.

In a press section of a paper making machine, pairs of press rolls are arranged in a press couples and the nips formed therebetweeen receive dewatering felts and the traveling paper web. In servicing the machine, the looped felt which passes through the press nips must be changed, and this has heretofore been done with considerable difficulty. The felt is relatively heavy and bulky and must be strung over a large number of press rolls and felt rolls and access to the machine is difficult.

Also, in servicing of the machine, the press rolls, savealls and doctors must be cleaned and repaired and access to these parts is difficult. Also, the press rolls must be removed for regrinding or resurfacing and with the advent of large wide machines, this operation increases in difficulty.

Further, it is important to bring the elements of the press section into as compact a unit as possible to avoid using unnecessary building space and providing an unnecessarily long machine. Further, compactness enhances the ease of servicing. As the machines become wider, the amount of total force which must be applied to the press rolls increases thereby increasing the size of the loading units which are necessary.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an improved press section for a paper making machine which increases the ease in which servicing is accomplished and particularly increases the ease of replacing the felts.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved press section for a paper making machine having improved servicing features, wherein the clean ing of rolls, savealls and other parts and the replace ment of the parts can be accomplished in less time and with greater case.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a more compact structure for loading press rolls which reduces the size necessary for parts in the press section.

Other objects and advantages will become more apparent with the teaching of the principles of the present invention in connection with the disclosure of the pre ferred embodiments thereof in the specification, claims and drawings, and it will be understood that various embodiments and modifications within the scope and spirit of the invention may be employed by those skilled in the art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a press section of a paper making machine constructed and operating in accordance with the principles of the present invention, with parts shown schematically for ease of illustration;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic showing of portions of the machine for loading the press rolls;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic profile view in front elevation; and

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic profile view in side elevation, with FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrating the module which is pulled out into the aisle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As illustrated in FIG. 1, the press section of a paper making machine includes a frame with stationary uprights 10 and 11 supporting overhead beams 12, and the entire unit is mounted on the paper mill floor 13.

The press section includes a continuous looped felt F. The felt is carried on felt carrying or felt rolls which guide it through its path through the various press nips and through the overhead felt cleaner. As may be observed from the drawing, the felt is supported on rolls positioned both within the felt loop and outside of the felt loop as illustrated by the rolls l4, 15, 16, 16a, 17, l8, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23. A pick-up roll 13a picks up the web such as from a fourdrinier wire.

The felt passes through the sequential press nips shown at N-l, N-2 and N-3. The paper web is shown at W, received on the underside of the felt and passing through the first nip N-l. The web leaves the felt following the press nip N2 and travels over the surface of a Yankee drier drum 30. The Yankee drier drum is of conventional design being heated by steam pressure, and the web is dried on the surface thereof and removed on the downrunning side of the drum. Doctor blade mechanisms such as 35 are positioned on the drum for cleaning the drum and aiding in the removal of the web therefrom.

In the first press nip N-l, the web is carried between a pair of felts with the lower felt being shown at F-2. The lower felt is a looped continuous felt supported on additional rolls not shown, and it is partially wrapped on the lower press roll 27 and guided thereon by felt rolls 25 and 26. The lower press roll 27 may be a suction roll or grooved roll. The upper press roll 28 forming the press couple for the nip N-l may be a plain roll or a grooved roll and its support will be described later in greater detail.

Following the first press nip NJ, the web travels along on the under surface of the felt F over the rolls l5 and 16 and then through the second nip N-2 formed between the press roll 29 and the Yankee drier drum 30. The press roll 29 is on the lower side of the drum and may be a perforate suction roll, blind drilled, grooved, or plain.

Following the second press nip N-2, the web is carried on the surface of the drum into the third press nip N-3 formed between a press roll 31 and the Yankee drier drum 30. The felt then travels up over the rolls l7, l8 l9 and 20 and into the felt cleaner. This includes a plurality of high pressure showers shown at 24 and the usual felt drying mechanisms including uhle boxes 24a.

Certain of the felt rolls and certain of the press rolls are mounted on a mobile roll-out module 32 which incorporates a large supponing frame carried for movement of the rolls in an axial direction to carry them out from within the felt loop.

The movable module 32 is movable from a first oper ating position wherein the felt rolls and press rolls are in their operative position within the felt in the machine line, to a second position wherein the rolls are out in the aisle. For movement to this position, the module 32 moves axially so that the rolls are carried out from within the felt and the rolls supported on the module are in the aisle in front of the machine for ease of servicing of the module and the rolls thereon, and for ease of servicing of the remaining rolls on the stationary frame. This also accommodates ease of changing the felt. Prior to this movement, the felt is loosened such as by shifting the felt tensioning roll 20 so that the module can be moved without dragging the felt with it.

Carried on the module are the three press rolls 28, 29 and 31. Also carried on the module are the felt rolls 15, I6 and 22. This strategic grouping of rolls is such that it provides ready access to the remaining rolls. Roll 1611 is cantilevered on the machine frame and remains in the machine when the module is moved out into the aisle.

For mobility of the module 32, it carries a pair of rollers 33 and 34 on the back of the module which ride on beams 33a and 34a in the machine. For additionally carrying the module and supporting it in the aisle, supporting wheels 58 and 59 are provided on the front of the module to ride on the floor 13 and support the module in the aisle. The beams 33:: and 340 support rollers 33 and 34 while the module is being moved into the aisle. With the module in the aisle, the beams are driven out into aisle. After the felt loop has been spread and/or service on the machine has been completed, the beams are driven back into the machine and secured. The module is then driven back into the machine and secured (or locked) in operating position.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the overall profile of the machine in solid line and show the module 32 in heavier solid line. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the module 32 is pulled into the aisle so that a fresh felt can be strung within the machine between a front frame 61 and a rear frame 62. The rolls which do not move out into the aisle with the module remain between these frame pieces 61 and 62. The module is additionally stabilized when it is in its operating position between the frame pieces by spacer blocks such as 60 and 63 which are removed when the module is rolled out into the aisle.

In order to strategically locate the press rolls and the felt carrying rolls which are supported on the module, it is necessary that they be compactly mounted and operated. The press rolls, of course, must be provided with a loading mechanism which controls the pressure in the nips.

For this purpose each of the press rolls is mounted on short swing arms which is arranged in such a way that adequate nip pressure can be obtained even though the supporting swing arms are short.

As shown for the press roll 28 for the first press nip N-l, it is mounted on a swing arm 37 pivoted at 42 on the roll-out module 32. The swing arm 37 is matched by a similar swing arm at the back of the machine, and each of these swing arms carry the bearings 28a for the press roll.

In certain machine arrangements, the press for nip N-l could be omitted and the web carried directly to the Yankee nip N-2.

Mounted on the swing arms is a continuous beam 39 which extends the width of the machine. This beam is movable with the swing arms. A stationary beam 38 is also carried on the module and pneumatic air springs 41 are positioned between the stationary beam 38 and the movable beam 39 so as to apply a'loading force to the swing arm 37. These air springs will respond to provide a force to load the nip N-l in accordance with the air pressure therein, and this is obtained by an air pressure control system connected to the air springs. Single air springs 40 on each arm are used for lifting the roll.

The air springs are spaced at convenient intervals across the machine similar to the manner shown in FIG. 2. With this arrangement, sufficient air springs can be provided to give the nip loading desired. Members 43, 44 and 50 are vacuum connections.

In the second press nip N-Z, the press roll 29 is carried on a short swing arm 48 pivoted at 49. A stationary beam 45 is supported at its ends by module framework, and the entire mechanism for the roll 29 is supported on the roll-out module 32. A beam 47 is supported on arms 48 and the air springs 46 at spaced intervals across the machine are supported on the stationary beam 45 to act on the movable beam 47 and control the pressure in the nip N-2.

For the roll 31 for the third press position, it is supported at its ends by swing arms 55 pivoted at 51. A nip loading force is applied to these swing arms 55 which carry a movable beam 54 extending across the machine. A stationary beam 53 is mounted to the module frame and a plurality of air springs 56 are spaced along between stationary beam 53 and movable beam 54. This arrangement is also illustrated in schematic form in FIG. 2.

Thus, by the arrangement shown and described, a loading system for each of the press rolls includes two cross machine beams, one fixed to the module frame and the other connected to the swing arms. A number of air springs are placed between the beams across the machine, and with this arrangement shorter moment arms can be used to obtain the same nip pressure as if a single air spring were used on each arm. This shortened moment arm also allows for larger nip openings which accommodates the movement of the roll-out module from the aisle position to the machine position.

This press arrangement is also workable with a load ing system consisting of a single air spring on each arm.

The drawings include certain elements conventional in a paper machine press, and these are not described or numbered because they form no part of the invention, and will generally be recognized by those skilled in the art.

We claim:

1. In a press section of a paper making machine, the combination comprising:

a press frame having a front frame section and a rear frame section;

a plurality of first press rolls and a plurality of second press rolls forming nips therebetween,

said second rolls supported between said frame sections, said first and second rolls located between said frame sections in operating position;

a looped felt passing through said press nips;

felt rolls positioned for supporting said looped felt with said second rolls on said frame sections;

a roll-out module supporting said first press rolls;

mobile means supporting said module for axial movement of the first rolls from an operating first position betweeen the frame sections and a servicing second position with the first rolls on said module in an aisle in front of the paper machine outwardly of said frame sections.

said second press rolls remaining stationary when said module is moved;

guide rolls;

said guide rolls and said second rolls positioned so that said felt is fully supported thereon so that said first rolls can be movable axially into servicing position relative to the felt while the felt is strung on said second rolls. 2. In a press section of a paper making machine constructed in accordance with claim 1:

including swing arms supporting the first press rolls on the module with the rolls movable between a pressing position wherein first press rolls form press nip with second press rolls and a nonpressing position wherein the first and second press rolls are separated. 3. In a press section of a paper making machine constructed in accordance with claim 1:

including a Yankee drier drum. with said first press rolls engaging the drum in operating position. 4. In a press section of a paper making machine constructed in accordance with claim 2:

and including a fixed cross-machine beam on said frame; a movable cross-machine beam connected at its ends to said swing arms pressure means positioned at axially spaced locations between said beams for controlling nip pressure. 5. In a press section of a paper making machine constructed in accordance with claim 4:

wherein the pressure means are pneumatic inflatable springs.

6. A press arrangement for a paper machine comprisa press couple including a pair of press rolls forming a press nip therebetween;

a first support for one of the rolls;

a second support for the other of said rolls including a pair of swing arms carrying the roll ends;

a movable cross-machine beam extending parallel to the rolls carried by the swing arms and connected at its ends to the swing arms; I

a stationary beam coextensive with the movable beam; and

a plurality of pressure members positioned between the beams at axially spaced intervals along said beams for applying a force to the movable beam thereby applying a force to the arms for controlling nip pressure. 

1. IN A PRESS SECTION OF A PAPER MAKING MACHINE, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING: A PRESS FRAME HAVING A FRONT FRAME SECTION AND A REAR FRAME SECTION, A PLURALITY OF FIRST PRESS ROLLS AND A PLURALITY OF SECOND PRESS ROLLS FORMING NIPS THEREBETWEEN, SAID SECOND ROLLS SUPPORTED BETWEEN SAID FRAME SECTIONS, SAID FIRST AND SECOND ROLLS LOCATED BETWEEN SAID FRAME SECTIONS IN OPERATION POSITION, A LOOPED FELT PASSING THROUGH SAID PRESS NIPS, FELT ROLLS POSITIONED FOR SUPPORTING SAID LOOPED FELT WITH SAID SECOND ROLLS ON SAID FRAME SECTIONS, A ROLL-OUT MODULE SUPPORTING SAID FIRST PRESS ROLLS, MOBILE MEANS SUPPORTING SAID MODULE FOR AXIAL MOVEMENT OF THE FIRST ROLLS FROM AN OPERATING FIRST POSITION BETWEEN THE FRAME SECTIONS AND A SERVICING SECOND POSITION WITH THE FIRST ROLLS ON SAID MODULE IN AN AISLE IN FRONT OF THE PAPER MACHINE OUTWARDLY OF SAID FRAME SECTIONS, SAID SECOND PRESS ROLLS REMAINING STATIONARY WHEN SAID ODULE IS MOVED. GUIDE ROLLS, SAID GUIDE ROLLS AND SAID SECOND ROLLS POSITIONED SO THAT SAID FELT IS FULLY SUPPORTED THEREON SO THAT SAID FIRST ROLLS CAN BE MOVABLE AXIALLY INTO SERVICING POSITION RELATIVE TO THE FEET WHILE THE FELT IS STRUNG ON SAID SECOND ROLLS.
 2. In a press section of a paper making machine constructed in accordance with claim 1: including swing arms supporting the first press rolls on the module with the rolls movable between a pressing position wherein first press rolls form press nips with second press rolls and a non-pressing position wherein the first and second press rolls are separated.
 3. In a press section of a paper making machine constructed in accordance with claim 1: including a Yankee drier drum, with said first press rolls engaging the drum in operating position.
 4. In a press section of a paper making machine constructed in accordance with claim 2: and including a fixed cross-machine beam on said frame; a movable cross-machine beam connected at its ends to said swing arms, pressure means positioned at axially spaced locations between said beams for controlling nip pressure.
 5. In a press section of a paper making machine constructed in accordance with claim 4: wherein the pressure means are pneumatic inflatable springs.
 6. A PRESS ARRANGEMENT FOR A PAPER MACHINE COMPRISING: A PRESS COUPLE INCLUDING A PAIR OF PRESS ROLLS FORMING A PRESS NIP THEREBETWEEN, A FIRST SUPPORT FOR ONE OF THE ROLLS, A SECOND SUPPORT FOR THE OTHER OF SAID ROLLS INCLUDING A PAIR OF SWING ARMS CARRYING THE ROLL ENDS, A MOVABLE CROSS-MACHINE BEAM EXTENDING PRALLEL TO THE ROLLS CARRIED BY THE SWING ARMS AND CONNECTED AT ITS ENDS TO THE SWING ARMS, A STATIONARY BEAM COEXTENSIVE WITH THE MOVABLE BEAM, AND A PLURALITY OF PRESSURE MEMBERS POSITIONED BETWEEN THE BEAMS AT AXIALLY SPACED INTERVALS ALONG SAID BEAMS FOR APPLYING A FORCE TO THE MOVABLE BEAM THEREBY APPLYING A FORCE TO THE ARMS FOR CONTROLLING NIP PRESSURE. 